Playing the Big Day Out is a dream come true for Jhindu Lawrie of Aussie band The Medics, writes James Wigney

THERE are two very good reasons why Jhindu Lawrie from rising Aussie act The Medics is looking forward to touring the country with this year’s Big Day Out.

On one level, it's literally a childhood dream come true.

Raised in Cairns, Lawrie was too young and too far away to get to the gig, but heard stories of the legendary annual travelling festival, not least from his father Bunna, a member of trailblazing indigenous act Coloured Stone, which played in the late ‘90s. As a child, Lawrie would follow his favourite bands and the festivals they played, little knowing he would one day be following in their footsteps, as he did at this year at the Gold Coast Big Day Out.

“Big Day Out was one I always wanted to go to but I didn’t have enough money because I was still in school and Mum wouldn’t let me out of Cairns by myself,” Lawrie says.

“It was a bit of a dream to go at last. Being backstage was surreal - I felt like I had really achieved something.”

After releasing their debut album, Foundations, to great acclaim in May, next year The Medics will go one better, and will be playing all the shows around the country in January.

The second reason for Lawrie's excitement at the coming national tour is a chance to share the bill with - and maybe even meet -- the band that got him and his singer bandmate, Kahl Wallace, into music in the first place.

“Kahl and I are really big Red Hot Chili Peppers fans and I am pretty sure that between us we have every single album, DVD, live DVD,” he says.

“They were pretty much the first band that got us into music.

“We really got passionate about it because of them.”

And as for the chance to get up close and personal with Flea?

“I would love to,” he says with a laugh.

“I don't think I could even talk, but it would be really mindblowing.”

The Big Day Out has always been famous for its sense of camaraderie, with international stars rubbing shoulders with up-and-coming acts, making it one of the most popular festivals in the world among artists.

Some of Australia’s biggest exports in recent years - from Silverchair and Jet to Pnau and the Temper Trap - have all paid their dues on the Big Day Out.

This year-s festival will feature a new stage - the Red Stage - to showcase the hottest rising acts.

It gives them the chance to observe and learn from already announced bands such as The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Band of Horses.

Big Day Out hits Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth from January 18-28. Tickets and more info through bigdayout.com.au

NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.

Share this article